CD Reviews

Haunting - something you will play again and again

11/10/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Next to my PC at work, I keep ten or so CDs that I know I will always enjoy: the well known (Beethoven's 7th, Brahm's Deutsche Requiem, Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto) and pieces that may be passed over by others (Gorecki's 3rd symphony, Martinu's 5th / 6th symphonies, Rachmaninoff's Vespers). Cassidy's work is counted in the latter, which is too bad for those who have not heard it. I have listened to it many times and continue to marvel at its melancholy and lyric themes. It is truly a modern day Requiem with Celtic overtones. If you enjoyed John Rutter's Requiem or a performance of Riverdance, this one is for you. A rare gem..."

Hauntingly Beautiful!

03/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was a member of the St. Patrick's Cathedral Choir and was thrilled to be a part of the creation of this wonderful CD. The music is so beautiful - hauntingly so. It will stay with you long after the last movement has been played. - KC"

Desert Island CD, Masterful

Renaissance man | Midwestern U.S. | 09/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If I had to spend a year on a desert island, I would be sure to place Patrick Cassidy's Famine Remembrance into my backpack. This music is breathtakingly beautiful. One can almost sense the anguish of the Irish people as they witnessed their loved ones dying helplessly. The score captures the suffering of this dear people and their land. Of course, one can compose works of lament that leave one lying in the gutter, defeated. No so, this recording. The two majestic Funeral Marches (introducing and ending the work) capture the dignity of what the Irish people have suffered. In other words, death does not have its final say. The De Profundis is every bit as magnificent as the best in Renaissance works or Baroque requiems. This is a very highly recommended work of genius."

Haunting but repetitious

W. Jamison | Eagle River, Ak United States | 04/17/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is beautiful music though for its length it seems fairly repetitious - hence probably the haunting nature of the music. It also seems similar to the music used in Braveheart composed by James Horner which was recorded two years prior. If these are Celtic themes that would explain the similarity. There can be no doubt the music written as a memorial of the tragedy - a man made or at least not ameliorated by those that could tragedy - ought to be and is - sad. Haunting sad Celtic music."

Must have listened to Wagner when he was growing up

Jeff, Young Old-Timer | Lakeland, Florida United States | 03/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I discovered Patrick Cassidy only a couple of years ago on the Celtic Christmas III CD. The track "Lament" absolutely blew me away. I thought Cassidy was a violinist. Then I did a little digging and discovered that he's actually a major Irish classical style composer. Recently, I got this CD and "Deirdre of the Sorrows". I'm primarily an old rocker, but I do listen to several other types of music. This CD is the calm oasis in the storm of rock and metal, and it's every bit as powerful. Cassidy reminds me so much of Ricard Wagner. Is there perhaps some direct influence here? This album has the most beautiful music to be found anywhere. I have grown very fond of Celtic music over recent years, and to hear its influence in classical music just plain overwhelms me. Okay, now you know I have a soft spot. I love listening to Loreena McKennitt and Sarah Brightman, too, so I'm not really 100% rock. This album is moving and calming to me and actually helps me concentrate better when I'm working on my manuscripts. Fantastically beautiful and inspiring, I highly recommend this CD to everyone."